Welcome to boating season!
It’s the first week of May, the weather’s breaking and it’s time to boat! I can tell you it’s driving me crazy—in a good way—and everybody’s been for a ride but me! We're actually in pretty good shape heading into the season—partially due to some current and past customers of ours who have really stepped up to the plate to help get it all done.
Familiar faces
Dave May is delivering many boats for us. A licensed captain, Dave has many years of boating experience including three boat purchases from Hoffmaster’s starting in 1995. Steve Unrath (a customer of ours in the 1980’s through the 90’s) is in Sunday rotation helping Chuck with sales. He is a valuable asset as is Pete McLeod (proud owner of a 330 Signature) who is assisting with sales and demos.
So what have I been doing? Mostly pulling weeds and painting. I figure as General Manager I have a unique aptitude for moving trailers and cutting grass. It reminds me of when I started working at the marina as a teen. Dad asked if I wanted to be in Sales or Service. When I replied Sales he handed me a mop, a toilet brush and a can of comet and said, “nobody buys a boat at a place with dirty bathrooms son, let me show you how it’s done.” I got so good at it that when a girl in my driving school spilled her soda I had that spill mopped up so quick the teacher told me I’d never be out of a job. 30 years later I find I can still do that very same job. And besides, somebody has got to cut the grass. In spite of all the bad news I read in the papers we are delivering a lot of boats! We’re at least as busy this year as we were last year. I think the boating world is better off if I cut grass and let others do the deliveries.
I also have to figure out which boat is going to be my demonstrator. Last year it was the 350 Signature. I put about 30 hours on her and really came to appreciate what that boat can do. We took her on a 3 day trip down the Potomac and found out the boat was well suited for cruising. We left the mid cabin berth in its “bed” position and that’s where our 5 year old daughter camped out. She watched TV back there and made it her little room. Sally and I brought a some extra folding chairs to set around the table in the cabin so we could entertain and watch movies. There was still plenty of room to move around the cabin. I found the boat nimble, fuel efficient, and fast.
In 2006, we used a 330. The thing I liked about that boat was that we could get 11 people in the cockpit for a birthday party and seat 6 or 7 around the front dinette for dinner. Both of these boats are so roomy inside. Chaparral does a good job of opening up the cockpits and cabins in their cruisers. |
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Unfortunately, looks like we won't get a long boat trip in this year. We’re going to a family reunion in July and a 20 Group meeting and Chaparral dealer meeting in August. We’re already booked up. I figure we’ll put a 250 or 270 Signature in the water or perhaps an open boat with a head: a 252 Cobalt or a 246 or 244 Chaparral. These boats are pretty handy because they take rough water well and can get to Tim’s or a swimming hole fast.
Paradise Grill is open for business
Bonnie Hardin is our new person behind the counter, she comes to us from the Woodbridge Inn. Bonnie has all sorts of new twists for the snack bar menu—she makes great chicken salad, potato salad, club sandwiches, and chili. Let her know what you want and you’ll probably see it added to the menu before too long! She’ll be dishing up her specials on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sundays from noon–4 p.m.
New ice machine
We've obtained an outside storage locker for ice. Once we’ve sold all the ice out of the inside freezer we’ll open this storage box officially. The box will have a combination lock and a drop box beside so our customers have 24/7 ice access. At that point if someone wants the old freezer it’s up for grabs.
Anniversary Party on May 10th
Our 54th Anniversary Party is scheduled for May 10th. We’ll have live music by Zero Gravity, a moon bounce, food, drinks and other entertainment from noon–4 p.m. Bring your neighbors! The Blessing of the Fleet is also on the same day from 11:00 a.m.–2 p.m. And if that isn't enough to keep you busy, the U.S. Coast Guard will be performing courtesy examinations on that weekend and the next.
Memorial Day Weekend
If you haven’t done much cruising before please feel free to contact us at the store to help you make your Memorial Day cruise plans. We’ll put you in the right place!
See you on the water!
HOFFMASTER'S MARINA, INC.
Welcome to the Family—Growing Since 1954
1214 Swan Point Road • Woodbridge, VA 22192 • Phone 703/494-7161 • Fax 703/494-8786
HOURS OF OPERATION
Sunday, 12 p.m.– 4 p.m.; Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.– 4 p.m.; Saturday, 12 p.m.– 4 p.m.
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